LIMITATIONS
Do not use 735 PremiumFlex below 40ºF (4ºC) or above 95ºF (35ºC). Use caution; do not allow mortar to freeze for the first 72 hours. Do not soak tiles previous to installation. 735 PremiumFlex must not be used to apply over asphalt sheeting, vinyl covered wall board, Masonite®, cement asbestos board, metal, glass, plastic, gypsum mortar beds or other unstable substrates. Improperly cured or wet plywood, particle board or strip wood are not suitable substrates. Installations that will be continually wet like swimming pools, fountains and gang showers, the completed installation should be cured a minimum of 14 days and allowed to dry before exposure to water. For white or light colored marbles use 735 PremiumFlex White mortar. Some dimensional stone tile like green and red marbles may warp when installed with water based setting materials. These water sensitive stone tiles should be installed with Mer-Krete’s ProEpoxy. For use of 735 PremiumFlex over additional substrates or situations not mentioned in these instructions, contact Mer-Krete Technical department.

TECHNICAL DATA

APPLICABLE STANDARDS
735 PremiumFlex exceeds industry requirements ANSI A 118.4 for Latex Portland Cement Mortar and A 118.11 for EGP Latex Portland Cement Mortar. Follow TCA Handbook and ANSI A108.5 for installation.

COLORS
Gray and White

PACKAGING
50 lbs. (22.7 kg.) bag

SHELF LIFE
12 months when stored off the ground in dry heated area. Protect from moisture. High humidity will reduce the shelf life of bagged product.

INSTALLATION

SURFACE PREPARATION
All surfaces must be between 40ºF (4ºC) to 95ºF (35ºC) and structurally sound, dry clean and free from oil, grease, wax, paint, old adhesives, sealers and curing compounds. Any contaminates which inhibit proper bond must be removed. Substrate preparation should be completed following ANSI A108 AN-2 “General Requirements for Sub-surfaces”. All substrates should be plumb and true, surface deviation should not exceed 1/4" in 10'. Patching, leveling or areas requiring a mortar bed should be prepared using Mer-Krete’s Underlayments. Movement (Expansion) joints should be provided to comply with TCA method EJ 171.

Plywood Substrates
Wooden floor systems when placed over floor joist or other systems should be of a design and thickness to maintain a substrate deflection not to exceed 1/360 of the span. Maximum joist spacing should be 16" on center. Plywood should be exterior grade only. Maintain a gap of 3/16" between plywood underlayment sheets edges and all that abut walls, columns, posts and adjacent sheets. All plywood installations should be interior only and protected from exposure to moisture.

Cement Backer Board
Follow cement board manufacturer’s instructions.

Cement Substrates
Substrate deflection should not exceed 1/240 of the span. All concrete substrates should be cured a minimum of 28 days. Smooth steel troweled floors should be roughed up using mechanical chipping, scraping or shot blasting. Dampen porous or dry concrete previous to installation of tile. Do not leave puddles or standing water.

MIXING
In a clean container, add approximately 1 1/2 gallons (5.68 liters) of clean potable water. Then add the contents of the 50 lb. (22.7 kg) 735 PremiumFlex mortar. Mix thoroughly by hand or with a slow speed mixer to a smooth, thick, trowelable consistency. Allow mortar to slake for approximately 15 minutes, and then remix before using. Remix without adding additional water or powder. Mortar consistency shall be such that when applied with the recommended notched trowel to the substrate, the ridges formed in the mortar do not flow or slump. During use, stir mortar mix occasionally. Do not temper with additional water. Do not add latex liquid to 735 PremiumFlex.

APPLICATION
Apply mortar to the substrate with the flat side of the trowel, with enough pressure to firmly work into the surface. With a notched trowel, immediately follow with a heavier coat of material using the appropriate trowel and enough mortar to provide 100% coverage to the back of the tile. Some extruded or lug back tiles back-buttering of tiles may be required. Do not spread more mortar then can be covered in 20 minutes or before the mortar skins over. It is advised that during the installation, remove a tile to insure the mortar has not skinned over and check the tile and substrate mortar coverage. Comb the mortar using an appropriate notched trowel in one direction. Place tiles in mortar, slide back and forth perpendicular to the ridges (NTCA “Trowel and Error” method) to insure proper coverage. Do not adjust tiles set in mortar after 25 minutes.

CLEANING
Water is all that is needed to remove any uncured mortar from tiles, tools and equipment.

AVAILABILITY

Mer-Krete 735 PremiumFlex is available at leading construction and tile houses and distributors. Contact Mer-Krete for the name of the nearest dealer.

WARRANTY

5 year, 10 year and Limited Lifetime warranties are available. Contact Mer-Krete technical department for specific warranty information. Mer-Krete Systems warrants that this product meets applicable ANSI standards in force at the time of manufacture. Mer-Krete will replace any product which proves defective due to quality of ingredients used or due to the manufacturing process itself. The warranty shall apply only if the product is installed and used strictly in accordance with applicable industry standards, specifications, and instructions provided by Mer-Krete. Mer-Krete shall not be liable for misapplication, misuse or abuse of the product, application or other event outside of its control. Replacement of defective product or, at Mer-Krete’s option, refund of the price of product of any defective item shall be the buyer’s sole remedy under this warranty. Mer- Krete shall in no event be liable for any damages in excess of the purchase price of the defective product. MER-KRETE SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES.
This warranty constitutes the sole and exclusive warranty given by Mer-Krete Systems in connection with this product, and Mer-Krete Systems has authorized no person to make or give any other warranties, or representations, oral or written, on its behalf. IN PARTICULAR, THERE ARE NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WARRANTIES, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. No modification of this warranty in favor of any buyer shall be valid unless given in writing and signed by an officer of Mer- Krete Systems.

MAINTENANCE

None required, but installation performance and durability may depend on properly maintaining products supplied by other manufacturers.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

Mer-Krete Systems maintains technical field representatives available throughout the country. Call (800) 851-6303 for the nearest representative.

FILING SYSTEMS

Mer-Krete Architectural Product Catalog and CD Rom. www.merkrete.com